Infinite Keys

The second full-length by Tulsa's Ester Drang is a surprising change of pace from the band's epic space rock debut, Goldenwest. Where that album consisted almost entirely of lengthy, abstract compositions that would turn on the proverbial dime into something else entirely, the ten tracks on Infinite Keys are uniformly concise and straightforward. As before, their fellow Oklahomans the Flaming Lips sound like they're a primary influence; though guitarist Bryce Chambers is both a less compelling lyricist and a less unique singer than Wayne Coyne, Ester Drang clearly has worshipped at the altar of The Soft Bulletin — the same mixture of acoustic instruments and electronic textures underpins nearly every song on Infinite Keys, and the younger group does a remarkable job of evoking the feel of that album without ever sounding like a simple-minded copy. If anything, however, Infinite Keys is a little too consistent; the songs blend into one another so imperceptibly that very close listening is required for Infinite Keys not to sound like one 40-minute song. It's a very good song, however.